Ooh man! I'm sorry I took so long getting this chapter finished. This was really a challenging one. I almost would've dropped from exhaustion working on this. But, I'm here, ready to show off my glamor.

Alright, in this chapter, so many things happen. The general gets into trouble while locating the shelter and someone tried to attack Elias. Oh man, and Hogarth gets lost trying to follow Elias. *jumps up and down* I can't help it I'm just so excited! XD You won't believe who shows up at the end.

Enjoy chapter fourteen, everyone. This is truly my best work.

The day stretched on with every passing minute. The sun peeked through the sea of clouds and the fog lifted. The wind whistles through the bare trees, each branch blanketed with snow. Snow filled every gap; not a place without snow. Matted brown pine needles peaking out of a powdery white carpet. The forest was cold, but gave off some kind of warmth due to its peace.

Hogarth watched the soldiers talk with the stitchpunks. One soldier was sparring with 3. Well, sparring being the soldier using a switchblade and 3 using his new scythe to fight. It gave 3 an excuse to practice fighting, and show 7 when they returned home.

Elias stood a few yards from the camp. He has his binoculars to his face. Guard duty. It was the least he could do for bringing Hogarth, his family and his friends to this very place.

Annie had drifted inside one of the trucks to keep warm. The cold wind was too much for her and no one had thought of starting a fire. Dean chose to stay outside and keep an eye on Hogarth and the rest of his friends.

Hogarth shoved his gloved hands into his coat pockets. He looked over at Terrence, who was seated next to a soldier. From the looks of it, they were carrying on a conversation, probably about the soldier's exploits and what he learned on the force. Hogarth didn't think it was a good idea to show Terrence his machine gun, but Terrence seemed fascinated by it, whose ensorcelled expression told him he wanted to hold it. He hoped the soldier didn't give it to him to hold.

He turned away, mind brewing with so many overwhelming thoughts. This was it. This was actually it. The stitchpunks were leaving for their world, and they didn't get to meet the Giant. Maybe he could convince Elias to let them stay a little longer before sending them home. Did they really have to send them off exactly that minute? Couldn't they extend the stitchpunks' departure? Who says protocol had to be followed? Why not break the rules just this once?

Hogarth ventured off to see Duncan and Michael. The two were seated on next to two soldiers, and with them 4, 5 and 9 were with them.

"Do you really have to go?," asked Michael. "There's just so much we haven't done."

"I don't know any way to make things easier," said 9. "I wish we could stay, but we need to get back to our world."

"Couldn't you just stay a little longer?," asked Hogarth, crouching down. "I mean, I can ask Elias if we could postpone sending you back, although he might not want to." He glanced up, seeing Elias return to the camp, binoculars held down.

Hogarth rose to his feet and walked up to him.

"Elias," he said.

"Yes?," said Elias.

"I was just thinking," reiterated Hogarth, "when the general finds the portal and Mansley...is it possible to wait a few more days to send the stitchpunks to their world?"

Elias turned his head. "What are you getting at?"

"I'm just saying," said Hogarth convincingly, "could we, say, wait until after Christmas to send them home?"

"Hogarth," uttered Elias.

"Just think about it. We wait a while, we have Christmas dinner, then we come back and send them to their world. Problem solved."

Elias appeared to want to speak, but he shook his head. Probably in disagreement.

"Hogarth," he said, "we have to find Mansely and the portal, and send them home now."

"I know, but—"

"Orders are orders," said Elias firmly, "and while the general is not here, I am in charge, and things will be run my way."

Hogarth stood. Whatever defense he had was melting away from him. So much for trying to convince them.

"Listen," said Elias, clapping Hogarth's shoulder, "I know you want to have more time with the stitchpunks, but they themselves told you they need to return home. I agree with them, and as much they'd wish to stay longer, the more we're preventing their world a chance of salvation."

Hogarth felt his heart drop to the bottom of his stomach.

"I didn't think it was that bad," said Hogarth. "I just wanted to have more time with my friends."

Elias hung his binoculars around his neck.

"Hey," he said, "don't think of this as the end, think of it as a new beginning. The Giant," he added, hoping this would perk Hogarth up. It got his attention, so he continued. "The Giant...he's your friend, no matter how close and how far you two are, right?"

"Right." Hogarth wasn't sure if he believed him or not, but he was willing to listen to anything, if it would make this situation better.

"And the stitchpunks," continued Elias, "they're your friends, whether they're in this world or not. It's the bond that holds you all together."

"That's...right," said Hogarth, realization dawning on him. "And...and 5 said, well, he asked me what I'd choose if I had to choose between infinity and friends, and of course I said friends."

"That's spot-on," retorted Elias.

"Yeah," said Hogarth.

"Say," uttered Elias, "the talisman, do you have with you?"

"Of course," replied Hogarth, he dug into his pocket, "it's right here." He pulled out his hand and showed him the talisman. Elias studied it.

"Hmm," muttered Elias, "and the talisman transfers the soul into the stitchpunk."

"Yeah," replied Hogarth, "that's what it does."

"Have you considered perhaps, that the talisman might have another function?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it transfers the human soul into another being. It can't do just that, it has to be able to do something else. Something like..."

"Opening a portal?," offered Hogarth, lifting an eyebrow.

"That's exactly what I mean," said Elias.

"But I don't know if it can do that."

"You don't know if you don't try."

Hogarth shoved the talisman back in his pocket. He went back to see his friends.

"So?," asked Duncan.

Hogarth shook his head. "I tried, didn't work," he looked at 5, 9 and 4. "Looks like you guys are going to be going home."

"I wish I could say we're glad, but," said 5, "I feel like a part of this world that I don't want to leave it."

"I know," uttered 9, "I feel the same way."

4 flickered her optics, surprising the soldiers who were watching.

"What's she saying?," asked one of the soldiers, pointing at 4.

"She's saying," began Hogarth, "that although she and her friends have to leave, she won't forget you—any of you."

The soldier smiled. "That's very nice."

4 smiled.

Another soldier, in his palm, 3 stood, holding his scythe to his person.

"He sure puts up a fight," he said, handing him to Hogarth. The hooded stitchpunk jumped on to Hogarth's shoulder, being careful not to drop his scythe.

"I can imagine," said Hogarth.

The soldier walked away. As soon as he left Terrence came sauntering towards them.

"Hey," said Michael, "since we're here, we should check to see if they have all their souvenirs."

"You're right," said Hogarth.

"What's this about souvenirs?," asked one of the soldiers.

Hogarth looked at him.

"It's more of a...going away gift giving for the stitchpunks," he explained, forcing a smile. "Yeah, since they're going to their world."

"Ah," said the soldier, nodding.

"You want to give something?," asked Duncan.

"Oh, I dunno, I don't have much to give, lest something good enough to give to them."

"It's alright," said Michael, "it doesn't have to be fancy." He crouched down and motioned for the stitchpunks to huddle in.

Hogarth stopped down and let 3 join his sister in the snow-covered ground.

"Okay, so," said Michael, looking at each of the stitchpunks, "you've got everything, right?"

"Yeah," said 9.

"You got the marigold cuttings?"

"Check," said 5.

"The scythe I made?," asked Terrence.

"Check," said 9.

3 held up the makeshift scythe and nodded.

"Necklace?," said Hogarth.

4 held up her necklace, nodding her head.

"Pocket watch?," chirped Duncan.

"Check," said 5, holding it up. Duncan's going away gift was a small, gold pocket watch with the chain hanging around him like a satchel.

"Eh, hey," said the soldier from before, "if we're doing going away presents"—he cleared his throat—"I'd like to give my part." He rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a silver bracelet. It was a charm bracelet, complete with charms ranging from a heart, a star, a crescent moon, a rainbow and a flower. He yanked off a charm and walked over to Hogarth and his friends. "Here," he said stooping down, "this one's for the one in the dress."

"That's 4," said Hogarth as to be specific.

The soldier handed her the charm. It was the heart. 4 flickered her optics in curiosity. She turned to the soldier and flickered to him.

"She's saying thank you," said Hogarth.

"You're welcome," he said to the hooded stitchpunk.

4 hooked the heart-shaped charm to her makeshift necklace. Now she has two charms for her necklace.

"Here," said another soldier, crouching down, "this is for the one with the patch."

"That's me," said 5.

The soldier gave him a small pair of nail scissors. 5 took it, optic blinking.

"Thank you," he said.

"Don't forget me," announced another soldier. He rummaged through his coat. He crouched down and pulled out a switchblade. "You can have my switchblade; I brought with me from home." He handed it to 9.

"Thank you," said 9. Holding it to his body, the switchblade was taller than him. At least it would come in handy for when a beast shows up.

"Is that everyone?," asks Duncan.

"Wait," said another soldier, sauntering up to them, "I've got something." He dropped to his knees, digging into his coat. "Here," he said, "I got this before I got drafted." The soldier took out a Swiss Army knife. He flicked it open, and pulled off the blade. He handed it to 3. "It might come in handy," he said.

3 flickered his optics at him.

"He's thanking you," said Hogarth.

"You're welcome," said the soldier.

3 looked at his scythe and the small blade and then walked over to his sister. He gave her the small blade.

"Why are you giving her that knife?," queried Terrence.

3 flickered to him, which, of course, was incomprehensible to him. He looked at Hogarth.

"He's saying that he wants his sister to have something to defend herself with," he explained.

"That's very generous of you," said Michael.

3 nodded, smiling.

Dean walked up to them, arms crossed, either from the cold or to radiate the sensation of indifference.

"You saying your last goodbyes?," he asked.

"Yeah," said Hogarth.

"You wanna give the stitchpunks something?," inquired Duncan.

"Ah, well," said Dean, "I don't know what to give them. I don't think anything I have will be good enough."

"It doesn't have to be much," said Michael, "just...anything."

Dean unfolded his arms and reached into his pants pocket. Pulling his hand out, he saw that he only had some loose change, which didn't do it for him. He looked in his coat pockets. Nothing. He searched in his back pocket. Nothing.

"Sorry," he said, shrugging.

"That's okay," said Hogarth. "I think we've got enough anyways."

"Do any of you have any of that hardtack left?," asked Duncan.

"Sheesh, kid, you're gonna clean us out," said a soldier.

"I told you," quipped Terrence.

"Agent Wolfe!," shouted a soldier.

Hogarth turned around. He saw the soldier run past them and toward Elias, who was looking through the binoculars, but was now turning away to pay attention to the soldier.

"What's going on?," asked Michael, standing up.

Hogarth didn't answer.

He watched Elias talking to the soldier. From the facial expressions and hand gestures something must be terribly wrong. It had to be if he was talking to Elias. If only Hogarth could get a little closer... No, this was none of his business. And yet, he was part of it.

The soldier looked like he was finished wrapping up whatever it was he had to tell Elias. Then the soldier walked away.

"Ten hut!," shouted Elias.

All the soldiers lined up in front of Elias, machine guns at the ready, waiting for orders.

"What do you think is going on?," asked Michael as he crouched down and held out his hand. 3 and 4 stepped on his palm, while 5 and 9 jumped on to his other hand. Standing up, he held out his hand to Hogarth, indicating that he take 9 and 5.

"I don't know," replied Hogarth as he let 9 and 5 climb on to him. The two stitchpunks settled on his shoulders, though 5 nestled in Hogarth's scarf. "Here," said Hogarth, taking the switchblade from 9, "I'll keep this in my pocket."

"Thanks," said 9.

"Listen up," barked Elias, "I just got news that the general and his troops are in distress at the location of the shelter."

"Damn," muttered Terrence, lifting an eyebrow.

"So, I'm going to have half a dozen of you come with me while the rest stay here and protect our guests of honor."

"Doe he mean you or us?," asked 5, head poking out of the scarf.

"Either way," replied Hogarth in sottovoce.

A set of footsteps approached from behind. Hogarth was relieved to know it was his mother, and her expression let him know she was curious about what was about to transpire.

"Hey, Mom," said Hogarth.

"What's going on?," she asked, eyes gazing over at the soldiers.

"The general's in trouble," said Hogarth, "and Elias is going to—"

An explosion could be heard from several yards off from the camp. Debris and snow flew off in a cloud.

"What was that?," asked Michael.

Elias ordered five soldiers to investigate. As the dust cleared away, Hogarth was about to go inside one of the trucks when something caught his attention. He looked past where Elias was standing. A figure. He couldn't quite discern it. A silhouette, or a shadow. It looked like it was holding a weapon...

"Elias!," shouted Hogarth, "behind you!"

Elias twisted around, whipping a gun from his coat. He pointed at the spot the figure was standing and shot at it. It ducked. The bullets went flying into the forest. The figure bolted up and charged into the forest.

"I'm going to after em," said Elias, he turned around, pointing at the nearest soldier. "You! I'm leaving you in charge until I come back. Carry on my orders as planned."

"Yes, sir," said the soldier, saluting.

As soon as Elias ran off into the woods, Hogarth, despite fighting his urges took off in a sprint and followed after Elias.

"Elias, wait!," he called, waving his arm.

"Hogarth," called Annie, hands cupped around her mouth.

"Hogarth!," shouted Dean.

"Hey!," shouted a soldier. "You can't leave the campgrounds—"

Hogarth ignored the soldiers who tried to talk him out of following Elias. He threaded through the throng with ease, dodging every time a soldier tried to grab him. 9, while he grabbed on to Hogarth's scarf, gripped his lightstaff and looked back at Michael, who had 3 and 4 with him. He wanted to go back for them, but decided they were safer there.

As Hogarth left the campsite, he looked back at the soldiers. He spotted Dean and his mother standing beside him. Knowing what he was putting himself through he turned back and ran into wintery forest.

Hogarth ran further than he intended. Every bare tree lined up perfectly blurred as he raced through the forest. Snow crunched beneath his feet with every step; his breath wafted from his mouth in puff. The silence was piercing.

He had lost sight of Elias. He sure can run. Despite the biting cold, he was going to keep going.

He stopped and leaned against a tree. 9 and 5 crawled out of his coat, giving him concerned looks.

"Hogarth," said 9.

The boy gasped in air, mentally cursing at how cold it was.

"I—," he said hoarsely. "I have to—," he let out a cough. "—find him."

How could I lose track of him?, thought Hogarth. He slid down and sat on his haunches. Running in the cold wasn't the most smart thing to do, but he couldn't help himself.

"We should go back," said 5, "we won't find Elias. He must be farther away from us by now."

"We can't—" Hogarth let out another cough. "—go back."

"Why not?," asked 9.

"I think we're lost, and I don't remember the way back."

Glancing up, every snow-covered tree looked the same save for the pines, whose needles stuck out from the thick later of snow. There was the sound of scratching against the bark, but Hogarth realized it was only a few squirrels climbing their way down.

"What are we going to do?," asked 5.

That's what Hogarth was a both to ask himself. They couldn't go back, not when Hogarth couldn't remember his way back to the campsite. Maybe one of the soldiers would come find him. Hogarth briefly thought of staying in his current spot when another thought raced through his mind.

If someone was sent to find him, what if they got lost? What if it takes them all day to find them? Hogarth wondered what time it was.

"5," said Hogarth, "can you hand me that watch? I need to check the time."

"Here," replied 5, removing the pocket watch from his self. Hogarth took it and turned it over. It was almost a quarter to four o'clock. He looked up, eyes slightly narrowed. The sun's glare made it hard for him to see, what with the snow sparkling like diamonds. Hogarth hid the watch in his pocket, thinking it better to store it there than giving it back to 5. It'll be safe there.

Hogarth rose to his feet.

"Let's keep moving," he said.

5 gingerly crawled back into the boy's coat and nestled in his scarf. 9 crawled in after was safely tucked in, but he poked his head out of the scarf to keep watch.

Hogarth walked on.

The shadows cast against the crisp white snow resembled skeletal arms reaching for each other. The wind whistled through the trees, it almost sounded like a sigh. The cold seeped through Hogarth's bones and he wished with his all damnedest not to freeze to death. He was here now and he was going to find Elias, or face off some kind for predator.

He thought back to the figure that tried to shoot Elias. He thought carefully. The figure was all black, that Hogarth remembered. Now he tried to remember something else about him. The figure was holding a machine gun, similar to the ones the soldiers had. Could he have been a former soldier? One that went AWOL? A traitor to the cause, perhaps? Or...maybe he was one of Mansley's cronies? That had to be the answer. It had to be. But if Hogarth encountered him in this snowy forest, then how would he... The switchblade! Of course!

Hogarth dug in his right coat pocket and pulled out the switchblade. Pressing the button, the blade instantly appeared, blade glaring in the sunlight.

"What are you going to do with that?," asked 5.

"In case trouble shows up," replied Hogarth, holding the switchblade higher. He bent the blade back in the handle. When the time was right he would use it.

"Okay," said 9, "but be careful with it; it's not a toy."

"I know that," retorted Hogarth, "I'm not a little kid, you know."

"I'm just reminding you."

The walk was spent in silence with the sound of the wind blowing through the serene forest. Why did Hogarth have to go after him? He should've stayed back at the campsite. Now wasn't the time for arguing over what he should've done, he had to find Elias. He wondered what his mother was doing. He wondered about Dean. And his friends. He especially thought about 3 and 4. Should he have gone back for them? No. They were much safer with his friends than out here. After all, once he found Elias and the shelter and the portal, the soldiers would bring the twins to him and they would be able to be sent back to their world. It would all be all right in the end.

A snapping creaked throughout the entire forest. Hogarth spun around. There was nothing behind him. He pressed the button on the switchblade, the blade throwing the sunlight back.

"Did you hear that?," he asked the stitchpunks.

"I heard it," said 9, optics locked on the endless line of trees.

"Sounded like—"

The scratching was heard again. Hogarth held the switchblade, ready to attack whatever was out there. His eyes widened; his heart thumped against his chest like a drum. Fear pumped in his system. Another nose was heard. Was it an animal crushing a branch, or was it something else? Something that was neither human nor animal. Could it be another beast? Another Ursa? He couldn't be sure, but to disprove it, he had to find out.

"Hogarth, look out!," shouted 5.

Hogarth dove for the snowy ground. When he opened his eyes, he looked to his right. There was an arrow sticking to the trunk. Whoever shot that arrow didn't do it by accident. He scrambled to his feet and ran.

He didn't care where he was running; he had to get out of here.

"Did you see who shot it?," asked Hogarth.

"I," huffed 5, "I saw a shadow. It was far away though; couldn't see their face."

"Let's hope he doesn't catch us!," exhales Hogarth.

The sweat dampening him made him colder. Hogarth couldn't stop now. He would not stop. Whoever tried to attack Elias is now after Hogarth, and possibly the stitchpunks. Until he reunited the twins with 5 and 9, he had to get them as far away from here as possible.

The trees were passing him now and he found himself leaving the forest and entering a clearing. What part of the forest was this? He couldn't tell. Sometimes some parts of the forest were unrecognizable in winter. Where did Elias say was the entrance to the shelter? He couldn't be close to it; if he had, he would've been here by now. Hogarth stopped to catch his breath.

"You okay?," queried 9, poking his head from the scarf.

Hogarth coughed. "Yeah," he replied hoarsely, "I'm fine."

"Do you think we lost him?," queried 5, craning his neck to look at Hogarth.

"I hope so," said Hogarth, looking over his shoulder. The entrance made by the two trees was beckoning, calling him to go back. Hogarth ignored his urge and turned away. He looked ahead.

The snow glistened like it were powdered with glitter. He could see another set of trees beyond where he stood. If he could get there, he might be out of sight of whoever tried to shoot the arrow at him.

"Let's go into those trees," said Hogarth.

"Good thinking," retorted 9. He nestled back in his scarf.

Hogarth walked a pace, he had really been on the move. All this running was going to pay off when he found the portal and sent them home. He didn't care how long it took, he was going to find it. At the pace he was going, he was almost to the the trees. He could hide there until—

"Ack!"

Hogarth felt something in his arm. It took him all his effort to turn and look. Whatever it was, he felt the movement in his right side diminish. He didn't remember getting on the ground.

"Hogarth!," called 9's voice.

He saw him crawl out of the coat, same with 5. 9 pressed his hand against the boy's forehead. He felt it again. Something poked him in the left shoulder this time. Hogarth wished he could see who it was. He stared into the space. He looked and he swore in the farther part, at the vanishing point, he swore he saw something. Something that towered over the tress. It had glowing white eyes. And Hogarth could discern the grey metal head.

Was it the Giant? Was he really here again? Or was it his mind tricking him? He didn't know. He looked over at 9 and 5 who were looking back at him with worry. He felt his consciousness slip away.

And after, a deep and unforgivable darkness engulfed him.

Aw damn! Was that intense or what? Truly, truly some of my best work. ^_^ And who was that shooting arrows? Guess we'll have to find out.

Whether what Hogarth saw was real or not, you'll have to wait until chapter fifteen.